Tangle pathology

Tangle pathology refers to the abnormal accumulation of twisted fibers called tau protein inside neurons, the brain's nerve cells. In healthy brains, tau helps stabilize microtubules, which act like tiny internal transport highways. In conditions like Alzheimer's disease, tau proteins become abnormally modified and group together into tangled structures known as neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles disrupt normal cell function, impair communication between neurons, and eventually lead to cell death. The buildup of these tangles correlates with cognitive decline and memory loss associated with neurodegenerative diseases.